Found the time to explain the comic to my older son. About how the boy has just lost his leg and everything the boy is feeling (worthless, like people will only ever feel sorry for him) is what he says to the dog. The dog, having long forgotten about his missing leg, is just happy with the joy of life. It wins him over. Gives him hope for himself.

Stunned silence from son.

I don’t bother adding how we are all broken and wounded and afraid to believe that joy and love are for us. If I add this idea, he will never speak again.

“Wow,” he said finally. “So there’s like a whole other level going on there that I didn’t even get.” More silence.